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Extra Innings Festival: Day 2 Recap

By Larry Philpot on March 6, 2025

Here is a review and synopsis of each musical act from Day 2 of the Extra Innings Festival in Tempe, Arizona, on March 1, 2025. The desert sun rose fierce and relentless over Tempe Beach Park, painting the sky in hues of orange and gold as the second day dawned. The air buzzed with the promise of country twang, rock grit, and soulful melodies, all woven into the fabric of a festival that married music with the crack of a baseball bat. Day 2 was a journey through Americana’s heart, from tender newcomers to stadium-shaking legends, set against the stunning backdrop of Tempe Town Lake. Here’s the tale of each performance, in order, with songs, bios, and the moments that lit up the night.

Wheelwright

The day cracked open with Wheelwright, a Tempe hometown hero whose rugged alt-country kicked off the festivities. Frontman Bryan Wheeler’s gravelly voice rang out over “When the World Stopped Spinning” and “Old Soul,” his band laying down a rootsy groove that felt like dust settling on a backroad. Born in Arizona’s sun-scorched streets in 2019, Wheelwright blends folk introspection with rock’s restless edge, a local gem polished by years of desert grit. The early crowd, still sipping coffee and staking out spots, nodded along, welcoming the day with open ears.

Notable Event: A gust of wind whipped through during “Old Soul,” sending Bryan’s hat tumbling into the crowd. A fan caught it, waved it high, and tossed it back—Bryan caught it one-handed, grinning, “That’s Tempe teamwork right there!”

George Pippen

Next, George Pippen eased in, his soulful pop a gentle breeze across the warming park. The young Indianapolis, Indiana crooner, songwriter and guitarist, who also played the harmonica, put on a show to remember. With his “James Dean” good looks and demeanor, he was great.

With his father in attendance, He performed a Stephen Wilson Jr. song called “Father’s Son” to wild applause.. Since his 2022 debut, Pippen’s been climbing the indie ladder, his smooth melodies and heartfelt lyrics catching ears far beyond the South. The crowd sprawled on blankets, soaking in his tender vibes as the sun climbed higher.

Notable Event: Mid-set, George spotted a kid in a baseball jersey dancing wildly and shouted, “You’re stealing the show, little man!” He improvised a quick riff about “baseball dreams,” delighting the crowd with his off-the-cuff charm.

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Maggie Antone

The tempo ticked up as Maggie Antone strutted onstage, her country swagger waking the afternoon. The Virginia songstress belted “Johnny Moonshine” and “Suburban Outlaw,” her voice a smoky drawl wrapped in steel guitar. A 2023 breakout, Antone’s been hailed as Nashville’s next big thing, her tales of rebellion and redemption hitting like a shot of bourbon. Fans kicked off their shoes, swaying and stomping as her sound filled the desert air.

Notable Event: During “Johnny Moonshine,” Maggie tossed a bandana into the crowd, sparking a playful tug-of-war among fans. She laughed, “Y’all fight nicer than my cousins!” before tearing into her next verse.

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Tanner Usrey

Tanner Usrey followed, his Texas-sized country-rock shaking the ground. With a growl and a grin, he roared through “Crossing Lines” and “Take Me Home,” his band’s gritty riffs rumbling like a thunderstorm. Hailing from Prosper, Texas, since 2019, Usrey’s carved a path with his raw, roadhouse sound, a blend of Southern rock and heartland soul. The crowd surged forward, hats tipped back, as his energy turned the park into a honky-tonk. His music has lately been featured on the new Taylor Sheridan hit “Landman.”

Notable Event: A string broke on Tanner’s guitar during “Take Me Home,” but he powered through unplugged, his voice carrying over the cheers until a tech swapped it out mid-chorus—a seamless save that drew a wild ovation.

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Max McNown

Max McNown slowed things down, his folk-country hush a twilight reprieve. The Oregon native, strumming softly, sang “Willfully Blind” and “Dead Set,” his voice aching with quiet power. Since his 2023 debut, McNown’s been a rising star, his introspective ballads earning comparisons to early Zach Bryan. The crowd settled in, lighters flickering early as the sun dipped low, his songs a soft echo across the lake.

Notable Event: During “Dead Set,” a fan held up a sign reading “You Saved My Rainy Days.” Max paused, visibly moved, and said, “That’s why I write,” before dedicating the song to “anyone who needs it tonight.”

Sam Barber

The heat rose again with Sam Barber, his soulful country tearing through the dusk. The Missouri phenom, all of 21, belted “Straight and Narrow” and “Dancing in the Sky,” his voice a thunderclap of grit and grace. Since exploding online in 2022, Barber’s been a grassroots sensation, his gospel-tinged sound striking deep chords. The crowd pressed close, swaying and singing, as his raw energy lit up the night. There were several signs in the crowd for him to “Take your shirt off.”

Notable Event: Mid-set, Sam invited MLB vet Jake Peavy onstage to bang a tambourine for “Dancing in the Sky.” Peavy’s goofy grin and off-beat shakes had the crowd howling, a perfect baseball-meets-music mashup.

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Grace Potter

Grace Potter stormed in as night fell, her blues-rock fire electrifying Tempe. With a wail and a strut, she tore through “Paris (Ooh La La)” and “Nothing But the Water,” her voice a lightning bolt over searing guitar. Born in Vermont in 1983, Potter’s been a powerhouse since her 2002 debut with the Nocturnals, her solo pivot only sharpening her edge. The crowd danced wild, a sea of raised hands under the starry sky. Always a delight to photograph, she has probably more fun on stage than the fans.

Notable Event: During “Paris,” a sudden spotlight glitch plunged her into darkness. She kept singing, unphased, until it flared back—then quipped, “Guess the desert likes a dramatic entrance!” to roaring applause.

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Maren Morris

Maren Morris followed, her country-pop shimmer a dazzling bridge to the headliners. The Texas star sparkled in sequins, delivering “The Bones” and “My Church,” her voice soaring with defiance and joy. Since her 2015 breakout, Morris has redefined Nashville, blending roots with radio-ready hooks to win Grammys and hearts. The crowd sang every word, a chorus of voices bouncing off the mountains.

File Photo: Marin Morris and her band perform at the Extra Innings Festival in Tempe, AZ on March 1, 2025. (Photo Credit and Copyright; Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

Notable Event: Mid-set, Maren paused to dedicate “The Bones” to “all the strong women out there,” then tossed a signed baseball cap into the front row, sparking a gleeful scramble.

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Kings of Leon

The co-headliners Kings of Leon roared in, their Southern rock majesty shaking the night. Caleb Followill’s smoky croon led “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody,” the band’s wall of sound a tidal wave across the park. Born in Nashville in 2000, these brothers (and cousin) have grown from garage roots to global icons, their anthems a festival staple. The crowd surged, a sea of bodies pulsing as fireworks prepped overhead.

Notable Event: During “Use Somebody,” a fan climbed a barricade, waving a Tennessee flag. Security escorted him down, but Caleb shouted, “Let him wave it!”—a nod to their roots that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Kacey Musgraves

The night closed with Kacey Musgraves, her cosmic country a starry-eyed finale. In a flowing gown, she crooned “Rainbow” and “Golden Hour,” her voice a velvet whisper over dreamy steel guitar. Since her 2013 debut from Golden, Texas, Musgraves has redefined the genre, weaving folk, pop, and psychedelia into Grammy-winning gold. The crowd swayed, entranced, as fireworks burst, capping the day in a blaze of color.

Notable Event: During “Rainbow,” a proposal unfolded in the crowd—a “Marry Me” sign catching Kacey’s eye. She stopped to cheer, “Say yes!” as the couple embraced, tears and applause rippling through the night.

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The Night’s Glow

As Kacey’s final notes drifted away, the crowd lingered, buzzing from a day that spanned tender strums to earth-shaking riffs. Day 2 of the Extra Innings Festival 2025 was a grand slam—ten acts, each a chapter in a story of sound and soul, stitched with baseball’s spirit. From Wheelwright’s dusty dawn to Kacey’s luminous close, Tempe sang, and we sang back, hearts alight under the desert stars.